- JOHN HOPKINS, Shopiere; born in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 24, 1798;
son of John HOPKINS,
- Sr., who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Enlisted
at the age of 16, and was under Gen. Sullivan; he was a descendant
of one of the three brothers who settled in Rhode Island at a
very early date; he died in Ontario Co., N.Y., in 1806; John
HOPKINS Jr., was a civil engineer on the Erie Canal in 1819,
and till 1825, then went to Pennsylvania and New Jersey and to
Connecticut, and in 1838, was engaged in extending the Erie Canal;
in the fall of 1389, came to Beloit, and to Shopiere in 1841;
bought mill property, and also went to farming. Mr. HOPKINS was
mainly instrumental in doing away with the distillery which was
located here, and made many sacrifices before he accomplished
his desire. Married, March 8, 1826, Sarah CHAMBERLAIN, daughter
of Thomas CHAMBERLAIN, a prominent citizen of Massachusetts;
his ancestors came over in the Mayflower; her grandfather on
the mother's side was an officer at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Their children are Benjamin R. (born in New Hampshire and died
when an infant), Louis R. (born in Bethlehem and died in Lockport,
N.Y., when an infant), C. C HOPKINS (was in California six years,
and is now living at Sioux City, in business there), H. N. (born
in Cambria, N.Y., married Dr. Rufus WELLS, of Sparta, Wis.).
William Henry (in Shopiere), and Edward (is in Kansas). Edward
was in the 7th Wis. V.I. which was in the Iron Brigade, and was
in all the battles that they participated in, and had many narrow
escapes. Mr. HOPKINS was one of the original members and founders
of the Congregational Church, and is now life Deacon.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 805.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|